Dump the 45-70 and keep the .444 Marlin and the .44 Mag...

[northkid]

Thinking of selling the new 45-70 barrel and sticking with the 444 Marlin & 44 Mag. A 185gr to 400gr in the 444 should be plenty to hunt anything in NA. What ya think?

[bajabill]

If you only want to keep a minimal amount of guns required for hunting, then define what you hunt for yourself, not what may or may not exist on a continent, then chose an adequate chambering.  Many, many chamberings will meet that criteria in one simple package.  Maybe I am missing the point of these scenarios.

[BBF]

Since the 45-70 and the 444 Marlin  cover pretty much the same requirements it comes down to making a choice between those two.
 
Depending on bullet choice you could load the 44 Rem and 444 Marlin with the same piece of lead.
 
If it comes down to eliminating all but one I would choose the Marlin cartridge.

[bikerbeans]

Keep the 45-70, it makes a dandy smokeless muzzleloader.
 
BB

[45-70.gov]

as far as practical goes
all any one needs is a 308win....357 for the pocket  and a shotgun [12]


but  i ain't dumping  my  45-70
or
444  or 25-05 or 223  or 3006    or 44 mag
or 500snw  or9mm or 45
or 35rem  or30-30s


or 410,, 20 or 12 ga shotguns


you  may have to dump the blond  if you want the redhead
this does not apply to guns

[GeorgiaDave]

Hello from Georgia,
 
   There is no doubt that a well placed shot at the appropriate range from a .444 will dispatch any game animal in North America. and, although there are pistol rounds more powerful than the old .44 Mag, it remains a very effective hunting weapon. As far as giving up on the 45/70, I simply can not understand the logic. The 45/70 is a true .45 caliber, and with the range of bullets from collar buttons to 500 gr. solids, this round is among the most versitile. The ability to load the same bullet in two guns is a good proposition, but if you are loading anyway, does it really matter. I encourage you to do whatever you feel is right, and if the .444 is in the equation, make it smoke. As far as getting rid of the 45/70, I would encourage you to get a little more familiar with it before you decide. I as well as lots of others here would suggest you keep it even if it were behind the .444 on your favorite list. Good luck, and keep on shooting, one shot at a time.
Dave

[MSP Ret]

If your young enough, keep the both blonde and the redhead!!!!
Keep the 45-70 and the others as well. Everyone NEEDS a 45-70....<><....

[northkid]

If you only want to keep a minimal amount of guns required for hunting, then define what you hunt for yourself, not what may or may not exist on a continent, then chose an adequate chambering.  Many, many chamberings will meet that criteria in one simple package.  Maybe I am missing the point of these scenarios.

I would say the 444 and 44 could use the same bullets pretty much.

[Rodland]

Just thoughts from a useless handiholic, so take them at face value.
I thought I had to trade away my 444 to get the next thing on my need list, a 38-55. I did and would not take anything for the 38-55, love it. BUT, I am trying to get the 444 back now. It was a great shooter. If I had a 45-70 I don't think I could part with it either. Keep them all as each has it's place. Have I helped any?

[northkid]

Since the 45-70 and the 444 Marlin  cover pretty much the same requirements it comes down to making a choice between those two.
 
Depending on bullet choice you could load the 44 Rem and 444 Marlin with the same piece of lead.
 
If it comes down to eliminating all but one I would choose the Marlin cartridge.

This is what I was thinking.    Thanks

[northkid]

Keep the 45-70, it makes a dandy smokeless muzzleloader.
 
BB

Can you do the same with th 44 mag or 444 Marlin?
 
Thanks

[northkid]

as far as practical goes
all any one needs is a 308win....357 for the pocket  and a shotgun [12]


but  i ain't dumping  my  45-70
or
444  or 25-05 or 223  or 3006    or 44 mag
or 500snw  or9mm or 45
or 35rem  or30-30s


or 410,, 20 or 12 ga shotguns


you  may have to dump the blond  if you want the redhead
this does not apply to guns

Know some old timers all they had was a Rossi .243, or .308, 12ga, .22 all for 1 frame in Alaska and lived just fine on 3 barrels.

[northkid]

Hello from Georgia,
 
   There is no doubt that a well placed shot at the appropriate range from a .444 will dispatch any game animal in North America. and, although there are pistol rounds more powerful than the old .44 Mag, it remains a very effective hunting weapon. As far as giving up on the 45/70, I simply can not understand the logic. The 45/70 is a true .45 caliber, and with the range of bullets from collar buttons to 500 gr. solids, this round is among the most versatile. The ability to load the same bullet in two guns is a good proposition, but if you are loading anyway, does it really matter. I encourage you to do whatever you feel is right, and if the .444 is in the equation, make it smoke. As far as getting rid of the 45/70, I would encourage you to get a little more familiar with it before you decide. I as well as lots of others here would suggest you keep it even if it were behind the .444 on your favorite list. Good luck, and keep on shooting, one shot at a time.
Dave

The reason was the 444 Marlin seems like a real flat shooter. 200 yards would be a max shot for me and in real thick bush the 12ga works much better for me. I own a Marlin 45-70 and 1895M 450 Marlin, Marlin 44Mag they all may be getting canned to.. I had over 35 encore barrels and down to 10 dumping them, going with the Handi's . I want to make hunting and life simple.

[northkid]

If your young enough, keep the both blonde and the redhead!!!!
Keep the 45-70 and the others as well. Everyone NEEDS a 45-70....<><....

I'll keep the keep the both blonde and the redhead   but may pass on the 45-70.

[Jason F]

just send me that 45-70 i will give it a good home with the other 3

[bikerbeans]

NK,
 
You can't buy sabots or conicals for a 44 cal rifle barrel so although it would be possible to install a breechplug in a 44m or 444M barrel finding something to shoot would require a custom mold or some other ideas.  I have played with 444M as a muzzleloader a little but but nothing useful as far as results, least not as of today.
 
BB
 

Keep the 45-70, it makes a dandy smokeless muzzleloader.
 
BB

Can you do the same with th 44 mag or 444 Marlin?
 
Thanks

[northkid]

Just thoughts from a useless handiholic, so take them at face value.
I thought I had to trade away my 444 to get the next thing on my need list, a 38-55. I did and would not take anything for the 38-55, love it. BUT, I am trying to get the 444 back now. It was a great shooter. If I had a 45-70 I don't think I could part with it either. Keep them all as each has it's place. Have I helped any?

But if I get ride of the 45-70 I will have a lot more free space.   I am a meat hunter so when I go hunting I am just going to relax and get some meat. Horns can stay in the field for a treat for the critters. New a few rifle and a shotgun and I am good to go.

[northkid]

NK,
 
You can't buy sabots or conicals for a 44 cal rifle barrel so although it would be possible to install a breechplug in a 44m or 444M barrel finding something to shoot would require a custom mold or some other ideas.  I have played with 444M as a muzzle loader a little but but nothing useful as far as results, least not as of today.
 
BB
 

Keep the 45-70, it makes a dandy smokeless muzzleloader.
 
BB

Can you do the same with th 44 mag or 444 Marlin?
 
Thanks

You may be on to something there with the 45-70. I have an EC Mag ML, just want to get away from the whole encore thing. You folks got me addicted to handi's never even heard of them till I can here to read the Encore section. Then it was ALL OVER for the EC.
I would like to pick up a .357 Mag barrel, my last 2 barrels I donated one to Dinny and the other was 18" To a guy how took handi cap kids hunting' (forget name)

[petemi]

Here's a way to get twice as much room.  Dump the .444 and the .44 and keep the .45-70.  It'll do anything the other two can and more.

Just an added thought:  This whole thread is getting too stupidly logical.  If we continue, we'll all find ourselves back at Square One with our 12 ga. and .30-06 and nothing else

Pete

[northkid]

Here's a way to get twice as much room.  Dump the .444 and the .44 and keep the .45-70.  It'll do anything the other two can and more.

Pete

 
Not helping with the decisions here.   That does make some since also. But a .357 Mag and 45-70 would make a nice combo set. I would have to use the 44 ammo up first.

[gendoc]

Here's a way to get twice as much room.  Dump the .444 and the .44 and keep the .45-70.  It'll do anything the other two can and more.

Pete

and thatsa tha plain truth pete !!!!!!!!!!!!
ain't but one handi caliber i'd keep over tha 45/70.............
 and itsa rimless bottle neck that'll out-shoot most made. an its also called tha
 "commie handi"
an its onla cuz it'll take outta nats behind @ hunert paces.............
 
keep your 70' kid...... you won't be able to sleep at night until ya replace her
 
thats my opinion... so ain't no need ta start no BS

[petemi]

John, whenever I want to impress someone with the Handi's quality and accuracy, two rifles come out....the .45-70 and the "Commie".  I really lucked out on that one.  A member posted here that it was in stock at his local candy store and I ordered it sight unseen.  It came out of the box with the prettiest pallet wood stock I've ever seen, eats anything I feed it, and loves making one hole targets.

Pete

[gendoc]

John, whenever I want to impress someone with the Handi's quality and accuracy, two rifles come out....the .45-70 and the "Commie".  I really lucked out on that one.  A member posted here that it was in stock at his local candy store and I ordered it sight unseen.  It came out of the box with the prettiest pallet wood stock I've ever seen, eats anything I feed it, and loves making one hole targets.

Pete

pete, i remember that happy day !!!!!!!! 

[tcoggins]

I'm still thinking about the blonde and the redhead.

[gendoc]

I'm still thinking about the blonde and the redhead.

hey, i got visions of tha same thang..........   i kinda like fleckel'd red on tha head wimmins.....  jus ask maw-maw, she'll tellya truth yeah

[bikerbeans]

some day I gotta get up the nerve to tell Doc that rimless cartridges don't work well in a Handi.
 
BB

[gendoc]

bb, that been tolt ta me befor....but you know what i say bout that'un doant ya 

[Rodland]

Hey! What be that "commie handi". Don't think I got one of them. We ain't helpin northkid a bit wit his delima.

[stimpylu32]

Thinking of selling the new 45-70 barrel and sticking with the 444 Marlin & 44 Mag. A 185gr to 400gr in the 444 should be plenty to hunt anything in NA. What ya think?

Just from a fractory ammo standpoint , the 45/70 comes in 3 diffrent power levels , you can find ammo in just about any sporting goods store , back woods gun shop and even some of the out of the way gas stations anywere in the US , try that with the 444 .
 
stimpy

[bikerbeans]

Hey! What be that "commie handi". Don't think I got one of them. We ain't helpin northkid a bit wit his delima.

7.62x39, couple folks around here think it will shoot okay.
 
We are supposed to be helping?  I guess I need to revise about 3,000 posts.
 
BB